Combined underwaist and corset.



H. NIGKLE. COMBINED UNDEBWAIST .A ND CORSET.

APPLIOATIOH TILED NOV 14, 1910.

990,582. v v Patented Apr.25, 1911.

HARRIET E. NICKLE, F EARLVILLE, ILLINOIS.

COMBINED UNDERWAIST AND CORSET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Apr. 25, 1911.

Application filed November 14, 1910. Serial No. 592,302.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRIET E. NICKLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Earlville, in the county of Lasalle and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combined Undei waists and Corsets, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a combination undenvaist and corset and has for its objcct to provide an article of this character which is light, may be comfortably worn and provides an eiiicient brace for the shoulders.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a waist formed in two sections connected by a skeleton back consisting of a plurality of elastic bands or straps, said waist sections being provided with corset steels in their meeting edges to provide a support for the bust and abdomen.

A still further object is to provide an ar ticle of apparel of the above character which is simple of construction, may be easily and quickl applied to the body and can be manu actured at a comparatively low cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention'consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a combination underwaist and corset embodying my improvements as it appears on the body; and Fig. 2 is a rear elevation showing'the device in position upon the body.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 5 designates the two side sections of the waist which are connected at their up or ends by the shoulder straps 6. These slde sections and the straps may be cut out of one piece of material but as preferably con structed and as shown in the drawin each of the waist sections may be former? with one of the shoulder straps, said straps being stitched to ether at their ends which are of increase width as shown at 6' to form a yoke. A strip of lace or other ornamental fabric may be sewed to the edge of the shoulder straps and the waist sections. The front meeting edges of the side sections 6 have a corset stee 7 sewed therein, said steels being provided with suitable clasp, devices whereby they may be easily and quickly connected. The side sections 5 when in position upon the body of the wearer extend over the front of the abdomen and around the waist. The rear edges of these side sections are connected by means of a skeleton back which comprises a band 8 which is positioned upon the back at the waist line. The ends of this band are connected by means of a plurality of elastic straps 9 to the rear edges of the side sections 5 of the Waist. A single elastic strap 9 also connccts each end of this band to the rear edge of the waist sections at their lower ends and extends over the hips. To the lower edge of the neck yoke formed by the ends 6 of the shoulder straps the tabs 10 are secured. These tabs are connected by means of the elastic straps 11 to the back band 8. To the lower edge of the band 8 the tabs 12 are secured which are adapted to be grasped to pull the band down and position t e same properly upon the back.

In arranging the device upon the body the wearer inserts her arms under the shoulder straps and positions the waist sections 5 to engage the clasps on the front edges thereof. The corset steels hold the front edges of the waist sections in their proper positions, said steels readily bending to conform to the outlines of the figure. The lower ends of the waist sections are provided at their front and rear edges with the depending elastic garter straps 13 which are adapted to be attached to the stockings thereby pulling down the waist sections and holding them against upward movement after they have been adjusted. The wearer then grasps the tabs 12 which are secured to the back strap 8 and pulls downwardly to properly position the straps 6 upon the shoulders so that they will lie closely thereon, the elastic connecting straps between the back band and the shoulder straps serving as braces for the shoulders. By providing the plurality of elastic straps connecting the waist sections to the back band, the skeleton back will permit of the natural movements of the wearer with entire comfort, the waist sections not being stretched or drawn taut over the skin. The dia onal straps which connect the sections 5 to t e back band will permit the wearer to assume any posture, said straps retaining the waist sections in their proper positions and receiving the strains which would otherwise devolve upon said waist sections.

The waist may be adjusted to fit any figure and it will be obvious that the waist sections the drawing to conform to prevailing styles.

5 may be of other forms than that shown in The front portions of said sections which are in the form of the ordinary corset may also be provided with a plurality of corset steels if desired.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised a very novel construction of underwaist and corset which is particularly desirable for use where the figure has not attained its full development. The device is also especially designed for obese figures and by such persons may be comfortably worn, as the skeleton form of the back of the waist will permit the waist sections to be properly fitted over the abdomen. The device is also extremely light and by eliminating the usual corset, the expense of the wardrobe of the wearer will thus be greatly reduced. The article may be worn by misses or women of more mature age without cramping the figure or interfering with the natural movements of the body as is the case when the ordinary corset is worn.

While I have shown and described the preferred construction of my invention, it will be understood that the parts may be. of any desired form and of any preferred material whereby the desired results may be attained, without departing from the essential feature or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 1. An article of the character described comprising two similar waist sections having stiffened meeting edges, the upper ends of said waist sections being formed with shoulder straps, the ends of said straps being of increased width and sewed together to form a yoke, a back band adapted to be disposed upon the back of the wearer at the waist line, a plurality of elastic straps connecting each end of the back band to the waist sections, a diagonal elastic strap connecting each end of said band to the lower ends of the waist sections, and a plurality of elastic straps connecting said band with the yoke.

2. An article of the character described comprising similar waist sections having stiffened front edges adapted to be connected together, shoulder straps connecting the up.- per ends of said waist sections, said straps being centrally formed with a yoke, depending tabs secured to the yoke, a non-elastic back band adapted to be positioned upon the back of the wearer at the waist line, a plurality of elastic straps connecting each end of said band to the waist sections, a plurality of elastic straps connecting said band to the tabs of the yoke, tabs secured to the lower edge of said back band, and depending garter straps secured to the lower ends of the waist sections at their front and rear edges.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRIET E. NIGKLE. Witnesses MATIE J. WALTERS, FRANKIE L'IARTIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D, G. 

